Aquarium has a hovercraft with a secret weapon

A BIZARRE fish which resembles an armour-plated box and uses chemical warfare against predators has gone on display at Blue Planet Aquarium.

The exotic species is known by a number of different common names, including the humpback turretfish, the hovercraft boxfish and the camel cowfish.

It is found in waters from East Africa to Indonesia, north to Japan, and south to Australia. There is also a resident population in the Red Sea, which is now believed to be spreading to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

The humpback turretfish is usually found in deep offshore waters over coastal slopes and sheltered muddy and sandy substrates.

It is also occasionally found near shallow algae and seagrass beds and areas of part-destroyed coral reefs and rocky outcrops.

In the wild it feeds mainly on algae and invertebrates; including worms, crustaceans, molluscs and sponges.

However, individuals in captivity are noted for their habit of coming to the surface and spitting water at passing aquarists to let them know when they are hungry.

Blue Planet Aquarium’s Stacy Adams said: “It may be only small compared to some of the other boxfish species we have here at the aquarium but it’s got to be one of the strangest looking!

“It’s also potentially one of the most dangerous as it can emit a deadly poison if stressed which can wipe out any other fish nearby.

“Fortunately, this particular individual seems to be very chilled out.”

The fish’s unique method of locomotion, called ‘ostraciform swimming’, causes them to look as if they are hovering in the water.